E-Note From Pastor Andy 9-21-16

September 21, 2016

Dear Eastridge Family,

It seems every day we have more news reports of racial strife and violence in America.  The politicians point fingers, ethnic groups point fingers, but it seems no one has any answers.  As Christians we know the problem is sin.  Washington D.C. has no solution for sin.  In fact you could argue most of their “solutions” only make matters worse.

I shared in a sermon a few months ago these sad statistics: Local churches in America are 10 times more segregated than the nearest local school.  Local churches in America are 20 times more segregated than the neighborhood where they meet.

I think this is a terrible testimony for the church.  We are supposed to reflect heaven to a lost and hurting world.  We have a glimpse of what heaven will look like in Revelation 7:9-10 “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

Heaven is diverse…there is no black section of heaven…there is not English section in heaven…there is not a section for youth and no section for seniors…in heaven we are one worshipping together as one…with one voice…united.  This is what the church should reflect to a hurting world.

I read recently about a Black pastor who moved to Oklahoma City, to finish his schooling.  He had stopped to have his shoes shined and was talking to the black man named Slim who was shining his shoes about looking for a church. 

Slim responded, “I know of a good church you can join.”

This pastor asked, “Is it a black church or a white church?”

Slim responded, “Young man that is the stupidest question you can ever ask.  It’s not a black church, it’s not a white church, its God’s church.  It doesn’t matter what you look like.  That is what is wrong with the Church today.  So-called Christians are so worried about whether all the faces of the congregation match their own that they miss the part about making sure their hearts match up with the heart of Jesus.”

Thanks Slim for the reminder.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Don’t Forget

·       

  Missionary tonight 7PM at Todas Las Naciones Church of the Nazarene located at 421 S Tyler Rd.

·        

Air Conditioner/Furnace will be installed on Monday at the church.  If you would like to give above your tithes to help offset the cost of this $5,000 purchase just mark your envelope “A/C” and we will put it towards that expense.

·       

  Church at the Park – On Sunday October 2^nd we will be meeting at Linwood Park for our worship service, followed by some food, and a time of fellowship and games for all ages.